Toshiba's Dynabook SS RX2 with world's first 512GB SSD

With 512GB SSDs already announced it was just a matter of time until OEMs slapped that slim slab of solid state silicon into a laptop. Now our patience has paid off with Toshiba's 12.1-inch Dynabook SS RX2/WAJ; a world's first laptop to feature Toshiba's own 512GB SSD. Oh sure, ASUS announced its S121 with 512GB SSD back at CES but Toshiba's laptop is the first to actually ship. Remember, the Core 2 Duo SU9400-based SS RX2 is already the mother of ultra-portable badassery with a 12-hour battery stuffed into a slim 19.5 ~ 25.5mm sled weighing just 1.1-kg (less than 2.5-pounds). But with the SSD alone priced at about $1,500, well, you can guess how much the SS RX2 will cost configured (hint: over $4,000).

Update: As noted by tipster Grovester, the US version of this RX2 -- the Portege R600-ST4203 -- with the same 512GB SSD lists for just $2,999. Not bad.

Update 2: Toshiba contacted to let us know that the $2,999 listing (see Google cache) was apparently a mistake -- the real price is $3,499. Not so good.

[holy_moly112 @ May 14th 2009 1:24AM]

12 hour battery? That, I want some HARD BOILED proof, that, and a donut for the wait.

Also, why isn't it in the title too, 12 hours, is like half a day.. :O

[v3xx @ May 14th 2009 1:31AM]

whats with the size increasing so much faster than the price decreasing. at this rate we'll have 20tb ssd's with 128gb ssd's still at over 300 bucks

[jonny @ May 14th 2009 1:34AM]

I feel sorry for you people stuck with these Windows machines. I look at this and then look at my MacbookPro, and think how freaking ugly these windows machines are. My MacbookPro is a thing of beauty. Sure it cost a few bux more, but at least I have a decent OS and it isn't crashing all the time with the BSOD and viruses all over the place. I really do feel sorry for you. Oh, did I mention it is a Macbook Pro? Yep, you read it: PRO. Sorry peasants.

[Adderz @ May 14th 2009 1:46AM]

Your just looking for someone to bite arent you?

Well, this time i will, just for the fun.

Unlike you, i have owned both Windows and Macs, im currently typing this on a iMac, but have a Dell Mini 9 sitting right next to me, and have previously had iBooks, Powerbooks, Toshibas and Compaqs.

The hardware i will admit is nicer, i hate the copious amounts of plastic PC manufactures use, but hey, its cheaper, and price is pretty much all PC manufactures have to differentiate themselves from each other.

Sony is a premium PC maker and their designs are quite nice, if i was looking for a laptop right now it would be either a Sony or an Apple.

Now as for the OS, well i have Windows 7 loaded on my Mini 9 and i must say, it certainly is closing the gap. Your still touting viruses and BSODS as the reason to ditch Windows? *yawn* thats so 10 years ago, honestly. I dont run any anti virus because honestly i know what to click and what not to click, and i havent had a BSOD since in years.

Ooo you bought a Macbook Pro, arent you special, you bought it along with millions of other people..you arent that special, trust me. Now with the money i saved buying a $500 mini 9 instead of a $1500 Macbook, im going to go out and buy some prawns and lobster while you feast on Ramen noodles alone in your studio apartment.

[syko21 @ May 14th 2009 1:46AM]

Windows machines are not always a bastion of viruses and crash prone software. My vista system has an uptime of over a month (since I installed the last round of updates). And I installed linux on my laptop which is now more secure than OSX (see Pwn2Own conference). (I also use a macbook occasionally and yes the OS is nice). My point is this, don't generalize.

[xoxo @ May 14th 2009 1:52AM]

fyi I'm happy with my windows and have no problems, so I feel sorry because you have to feel sorry for us pc users who actually know what windows is all about and know their stuff. Hi, I'm a product design engineer, and I'm a pc. You suck.

[AlCabone @ May 14th 2009 2:03AM]

Can you buy a Mac with a 512GB SSD?

[Luke @ May 14th 2009 2:10AM]

How many popped collars are you wearing? You know you sound like a giant D-bag right? Is this you.. http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/413009687931/inlineimg/Y/4popped-collars.png ??

[erufiku @ May 14th 2009 2:51AM]

unoriginal troll is unoriginal... 2/10

[r3loaded @ May 14th 2009 4:06AM]

"while you feast on Ramen noodles alone in your studio apartment" - LOL!

Adderz, you win a cookie!! :D

[Michael @ May 14th 2009 5:44AM]

i lol'd at that, currently im using an Indigo Blue iMac as a FOOT REST under my computer table(another indigo imac is in my CLOSET BROKEN ALSO), previously for 2 years i was using my BROKEN eMac (which cost a RIDICULOUS AMOUNT TO FIX WHEN THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THE VIDEO), but my heart felt "pity" for the white thing, and so i moved it from under there.. im typing this on my acer aspire one, 160gb hd, i didnt choose the ssd hd because it didnt have the amount of hd space i wanted. now right behind my tiny notebook is my desktop pc, which is running xp pro hooked up to a 27inch wide screen lcd. now let me tell you that i havent had to reinstall windows or fix anything regarding viruses or had a bsod in OVER 6 years.. why? because i know what to click and what not to.. ive been using computers since i was in kindergarten. and broke my first computer before 4th grade. ive progressed very well since then. and now do side jobs for $75hr as a computer tech.

anyways i "pity" apple lovers who diss windows because they believe their OS is superior.. listen, my friend who owns an ibook just called me up because of some macro virus he has on his ibook, turns out it infects EVERY document and he cant send attachments anymore..lol of course i help him out.. anyways...

+1 for M$
-1 for Apple

and for your cute comment about how your mac looks better than a pc... lol.. looks arent everything. obviously 3 "cute" macs are X_X next to my black server cased pc, thats ALIVE.

[Tommo @ May 14th 2009 2:20AM]

Bowls... coloured bowls.

[loosely_coupled @ May 14th 2009 2:29AM]

That may be the first with 512 SSD, but the ~11" Sony TT is just as insane. Check out these built-to-order storage options:

1) 128GB SSD + 320GB HDD (5400RPM)
2) 2x 64GB SSD configured as RAID 0 (i.e. 128GB total space) + 320GB HDD
3) 2x 128GB SSD configured as RAID 0 (i.e. 256GB total space) + 320GB HDD

Dual SSDs in RAID0 and and a decent HDD for storage? CRAZY!

[Raymond Luc @ May 14th 2009 2:42AM]

That's a cute 'top.

...lemme borrow it.

[DigitalRanker @ May 14th 2009 3:00AM]

Thanks for sharing this news. But there's a blunder in your post. 1.1 kg is not less than 2.5 pounds. To be very precise, 1.1 kg = 2.794 pounds.

[bl0nde @ May 14th 2009 4:09AM]

From google:

1.1 kilograms = 2.42508488 pounds

Ya know, to be very precise.

[substance90 @ May 14th 2009 3:24AM]

Um... what? With that price tag, I don`t even want to hear the specs. I mean, it should do way more than cook my breakfast and project naked ladies on the wall on my command to justify this price!!!

[fastolfe @ May 14th 2009 9:43AM]

You mean like having actual naked ladies cook your breakfast?

[geoffward2003 @ May 14th 2009 3:23AM]

DigitalRanker: Actually 1.1 kilos is 2.42 pounds. 1 kilo is 2.2 pounds. Nice try at making something true into a lie.

[digitallysick @ May 14th 2009 4:03AM]

What person would buy this? You could buy a normal laptop buy a 60 or 120 gb ssd, and an external harddrive , plus about 2 more laptops for this much money

[Craig @ May 14th 2009 8:18AM]

Some people have the money and choose to use it to buy better things. And a 12" notebook under 2.5lbs with 512GB SSD and a 12-hour battery is clearly a "better thing".

[r3loaded @ May 14th 2009 4:06AM]

...and I jizz in my pants.

[Snoopymaniac @ May 14th 2009 4:30AM]

I see what you did there

[jon arnason @ May 14th 2009 4:45PM]

According to the press release:

The Portégé R600-ST4203 will be available in early June exclusively on www.toshibadirect.com at $3,499.99 MSRP.

Jon,
www.macmynd.com

[Richter120 @ Jun 3rd 2009 1:54PM]

oh please people. all this crap talk about "ohh pc's are better!".."ohh mac's are better"..blah blah blah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its soo stressing to hear about how one thing is better than the other. most of the people speaking in here are probably 40 year old virgins who do nothing but yap yap yap on these things while they jack off to their japanese anima porn! please do everyone in the world a favor and stop this childish crap about this is better than this because i have some sort of a complex. Why don't you all just try and find ways to combine all three of these OS's and make one unified OS that will end all this crap and make the computer world a more prosperous place!!! SHEESH!!